Tape-less digital video camera buying advice

[Scott Catron]

We've been using Sony video cameras for about 16 years now - started with a hand-me-down from the in-laws that looks like a small broadcast TV camera now. We still have it. Anyway, we're now using a Sony D8 camera and it's balky once in a while - get a message to re-insert the tape. There's no official fix from Sony, but I found an on-line fix that works - re-insert and give it a firm rap before trying to turn in on.

Needless to say, we're getting tired of this and are looking at tape-less options.

Does anyone have any experience with a hard-drive or flash-memory camera?

For hard-drives, what do you do after you've filled the HD? Transfer to tape? Save on a computer (how big are these files)? Make a DVD?

For flash-memory cameras what do you do after you've filled a card, just buy a new card?

I'd like to stick with Sony just so we can use the InfoLithium batteries we've accumulated over the years. I've been looking around and the one that I've found in my price range is the Sony DCR-SR82 1MP 60GB HDD Handycam for $608.61 at Amazon.com.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[Scott Catron]

**BUMP**

Anyone with feedback?

[BradM]

Scott,

I don't have the Hard Drive version yet. I do have the DVD disc version. I love that thing! I use DVD-RW, and load them on the computer. I use the computer software to make revisions/changes (if I want) and burn a DVD.

Most times, though, I truly don't make the time to do a lot of editing. But, I still have the original on the DVD that I burned.

I haven't worked with the hard drive version yet.

[Scott Catron]

Thanks for the reply, Brad. I'll probably have to get a new external HD and a DVD burner for the computer - I'm amazed how cheap this stuff is these days. Especially flash memory - when we first bought a digital camera in the summer of 2003, a 128 MB xD card was $100. Now a 2 GB card (16 times larger) is about $50.

Anyone else?

[BradM]

Yes, it is cheap, and easy to use.

You know, just be true to yourself. If you are going to dedicate the time to downloading, going through and editing, composing, burning, etc., then buy the right equipment. If you are lucky to fill up a DVD, and not lose it, keep that in mind also.

The one nice thing about the hard drive is you don't have to worry so much about format. Mine, the recorder DVD has to be encoded to one form to go onto the computer. Then I make the changes. Then, another version of the file is created to go back onto permanent DVD. I'm not really that savvy on this stuff. That's why I usually just fill up a mini-DVD, and put it into the cabinet!